Depression & anxiety

Depression & Anxiety

Identifying your needs, finding solutions

DEPRESSIONSigns and treatment

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• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness or constant pessimism

• Loss of interest in daily activity• Changes in appetite or weight• Sleep changes• Anger, agitation, irritability• Loss of energy• Feelings of worthlessness or guild• Reckless behavior (drugs, alcohol, shopping,

gambling)• Difficulty concentrating• Unexplained aches and pains

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• It is obvious when you are depressed• If you are not sad, you are not depressed• If you are depressed, you are sad most of the time• If you can work and function, you cannot be

“clinically depressed”• Medication and psychotherapy are only for those

who are really bad off• People choose to be depressed• Depression is a sign of weakness• You have nothing to be depressed about

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• First step: Visit a health professional who may rule out possible causes which can be treated

• Medications: antidepressants can work to treat depression. May have side effects, sometimes serious (especially in youth)

• Psychotherapy: May help by teaching new ways to cope

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Although it has had a bad reputation, methods have improved, and it can be very helpful to seriously depressed people

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What can you do if a loved one is depressed?• Offer support, understanding, patience• Talk to him and listen carefully• Do not ignore thoughts about suicide• Invite them for walks and outings• Remind them that with time things do change.• If there is a crisis, call a doctor, or 911• National suicide prevention lifeline:

1800273TALK

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

Signs and treatment

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What are the signs & symptoms?• Excessive worrying about everyday things• Trouble controlling worries• Know that you worry more than you should• Not able to relax• Hard time concentrating• Easily startled• Trouble falling asleep (or staying asleep)• Tired most of the time• Generalized pain (headaches, muscle,

stomach)• Hard time swallowing• Tremble and twitch• Irritable• Go to the bathroom frequently

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Treatment for GAD• Psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy)

teaches a different way of thinking, behaving and reacting

• Medication: Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. Anti-anxiety are powerful, and should not be taken for long periods of time. Medications may have side effects.

OTHER TYPES OF ANXIETY RELATED DISORDERS

Description and symptoms

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Obsessive-Compulsive disorder• Checking and rechecking• Same routine over and over• Anxiety over germs, loved ones, etc.• Can’t control thoughts• No pleasure from the ritualsPanic Disorders• Sudden and repeated attacks of fear• Feeling of being out of control• Intense worry about next attack• Fear or avoidance of places where

attacks have occurred• Physical symptoms (heart, breathing,

weakness)

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Post traumatic Stress Disorder• Caused by seeing violence, death or

serious illness, war, car accidents, hurricanes, fires, violent crimes

• Symptoms include bad dreams, flashbacks, scary thoughts, staying away from certain places, worries and guilt, feeling alone, trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, angry outbursts, thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

Social phobia• Anxious about being with people• Very self-conscious in front of people• Afraid of being judged• Worry about situations with others• Hard time making friends

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETYARE SERIOUS CONDITIONS

SEEK HELP IF YOU SUSPECTTHAT YOU OR A LOVED ONE

IS SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL ILLNESS